Transferred to Miami - I'm ready to give up

[curiousGeorge]

I'm PISSED.

Great backlog reduction plan. oh ya. IT FREAKIN' SUCKS!

Miami is processing March 2003 cases. There is no way in hell I'm waiting another 14 months!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mrao485]

If you are in Palm beach county, the file will land up in WPB which seems to be doing much better.

Rao

[curiousGeorge]

I'm in Broward.

[poongunranar]

Miami is processing March 2003 cases. There is no way in hell I'm waiting another 14 months!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry to hear, friend. Are you sure Miami is processing by Transfer Dates and not by RD/ND?

[Safari_TSC]

curiousGeorge,
I understand your frustration, especially at this moment seeing more and more April'02 cases got approved. As you feel you are getting closer and closer, then- transfer, there is nothing more frustrated than this.
But, I have the same question as poongunranar's, are you sure that Miami office is processing by transfer date not the original 485 ND?
I think at least one thing good about it is that you can always make an appointment to speak with the officer to query your case status, then they may realize it has been a really long waiting for you and decide to approve your case. For us whose case are still lying somewhere in TSC, there is no way we can figure out our case current status, calling the famous 1-800 number is our only choice, and I'm sure you know how that works.

[TSC_OCT02]

Guy's,
One of my friends case transferred to miami in january 2004 and it had been cleared after interview in April 2004 ....

Local Miami office is not that bad...

Don't worry you will be cleared soon.

All the best

[goastros]

CuriousGeorge, did you have job change or where did you move from when you filed for AR-11?
Best wishes, hope your case goes thru soon.

[curiousGeorge]

Thanks guys, I feel a bit better after I looked at the big picture. I called my lawyer, and he confirmed what you are saying. The March 2003 date given for Miami is the absolute worst case scenario. He said he is seeing cases getting an interview in 3-4 months on average in Miami after the transfer date, but I should be prepared for a longer wait in case. The longest they've seen lately is around 6 months.

At least my case is moving, and you are right, if I really get frustrated, at least I can go see them, and talk to them in person. Previous to this, its just been a balck hole.

goastros,
I never changed jobs, still with the same employer since I started LC. I moved to the neighboring zipcode, stil in the same county. The only thing strange about my case is I am adjusting status from a TN-1 (Canadian NAFTA visa), this is ok, as long as I never applied for a TN while on I-485, so I should be ok. Maybe they just want to verify this in person.

[mrao485]

Curious George,

Please ensure one thing that if you have dependents also waiting for there 485 approval, you may want to tell the Miami guys that their cases should also be transferred to Miami (and kept together).

That way all your cases will be together and will get approved together.

Rao

[curiousGeorge]

mrao485,

How do I do this? I noticed that my wife's case has not been transfered as per the online message. How do I notify the Miami office of this?

[mrao485]

A friend of mine whose case was transferred to WPB did this. Wait for 10-15 days after the date that it says the case was transferred. This is about how long it takes for the file to get to Miami. Then speak to the officer in Miami (in person I guess). If you let them know that you have dependents, they will request those files from Texas (by SRC number).

They (may) also create a virtual folder in their system and note that the cases are together so that interviews can be called for all at once.

Rao.

[aasalame]

My file was transferred to Miami on 5/2004 instead of WPB office. Which office should I contact first? would my file transfer to WPB on it own without my contacting miami's office?

Thanks in advance.

[curiousGeorge]

aasalame,
If you live in Palm Beach county, they will most likely transfer your file. You don't need to contact them to have it transferred.

[longGC]

CuriousGeorge,

But actually you should be happy. The local processing date is based on RD and not on TD (transfer date). Once you have a notice in writing, go and visit Miami office and come out with a BIG smile.....

There can not be any office in US as slow as Atlanta. It is worst than TSC. They are processing May 2001 cases. They moved by one month in six calendar months then moved BACK 2 months. Yes, moved back. There can not be anything worst than this.

[curiousGeorge]

Thanks LongGC. I have made an appointment with the Miami office to inquire why my wife's case was not transferred. I haven't received the paper notice yet that mine was transferred. I expect it by next week sometime.

[nhusain]

CuriousGeorge,

Man hang in there.... My RD is 5/01 and in 04/04 they did a transfer of my case to Houston local office!

GC will come, don't worry...

[floating]

I'm PISSED.

Great backlog reduction plan. oh ya. IT FREAKIN' SUCKS!

Miami is processing March 2003 cases. There is no way in hell I'm waiting another 14 months!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Curiousgeorge,
It is not that bad that you are thinking about the transfer.
As long it is not a goofed up by TSC.
I think your file's approval is coming pretty soon.

Analyze mine.....!>
RD 09/05/2002 (I know it is not due yet),
ND 09/13/2002
I-485 transferred to Miami : 12/01/2004 (I am not under Miami jurisdiction)
FP in WPB : 03/10/2004 (Notice came from TSC)
I-485 for dependents : Still in TSC
FP (Dependent ) : Not yet
I-131 transferred to Tampa: 01/16/2004 (ND 07/10/2003)
Infopass > Tampa IO says on> 05/29/2004 : Tampa Office does not have the I-131 file at all.
I-131 (Dependent) AD from TSC: 02/09/2004
AILA inquiry, twice > 03/2004, 04/2004 > No feedback yet.
Now the online status inquiry does not say where the file is, but the finger print received and ......resumed. And for dependent : 900-950 days, blah, blah

Questions :
1. Where is my I-485 file ?
2. Where is my I-131 file after 11 months?
3. Why my dependent's I-485 file was not transferred along with mine ?

[curiousGeorge]

Floating,
If you have received a paper transfer notice for both your I-131, and you I-485, then stop reading my message, I'm on the wrong track, and I just typed this whole message for nothing.

If you did get a paper notice, then keep reading, I have an idea that you could try.

My case status was incorrect for a very long time. I called about it even before the "wonderful" CSRs were hired and I got to speak to a real IIO directly at TSC in September 2002. They told me that it is very possible that one of the IIOs simply pressed the wrong key and changed my online case status instead of somebody else's.

They told me that the only way to get it fixed was to send a fax to TSC to request to get the status fixed. I never bothered to do that, since although the status was incorrect, it was harmless, and my lawyer recommended that I just let it go. (The status was changed to "Response to RFE received at TSC" although TSC admitted that there was never any RFE sent to me in the first place, so it clearly made no sense.) The status stayed that way until now, when it says it got transferred.

Anyway, I have a feeling, that you may be in a similar situation, particularly with your I-131, since Tampa confirmed to you that they don't have it 4 months after it was supposedly transferred. Its possible that your I-485 case went through the same problem, although you'd probably have to go to Miami in person to be absolutely sure. Especially since your case is a September case, unless you've got a rabbit's foot (that actually works), or some kind of a leprechaun up your sleeve.

Its worth a shot, and it can't really hurt. Try sending a fax to TSC requesting that they correct the online status of your case, also explaining that Tampa has never received the case. Who knows what will come of it. The worst case scenario is that they will just ignore your request.

A small warning though, and this might be good or bad, take it as you will. The IIO from TSC told me that in order to actually correct it they will need to pull my file out from storage. This may cause them to either put it back once its corrected, or they might put it in the pile to adjudicate it. It may also delay the case, but I think the IIO was trying to scare me away from sending the fax. In my case she was successful. Since your case is nearing the processing date, they might actually decide to just adjudicate it, stranger things have happened in TSC.

Hope this helped.

[curiousGeorge]

Practice what you preach....

I decided to send a fax to TSC requesting that they also transfer my wife's case. We'll see what comes of it, if anything.

[floating]

Floating,
If you have received a paper transfer notice for both your I-131, and you I-485, then stop reading my message, I'm on the wrong track, and I just typed this whole message for nothing.

If you did get a paper notice, then keep reading, I have an idea that you could try.

My case status was incorrect for a very long time. I called about it even before the "wonderful" CSRs were hired and I got to speak to a real IIO directly at TSC in September 2002. They told me that it is very possible that one of the IIOs simply pressed the wrong key and changed my online case status instead of somebody else's.

They told me that the only way to get it fixed was to send a fax to TSC to request to get the status fixed. I never bothered to do that, since although the status was incorrect, it was harmless, and my lawyer recommended that I just let it go. (The status was changed to "Response to RFE received at TSC" although TSC admitted that there was never any RFE sent to me in the first place, so it clearly made no sense.) The status stayed that way until now, when it says it got transferred.

Anyway, I have a feeling, that you may be in a similar situation, particularly with your I-131, since Tampa confirmed to you that they don't have it 4 months after it was supposedly transferred. Its possible that your I-485 case went through the same problem, although you'd probably have to go to Miami in person to be absolutely sure. Especially since your case is a September case, unless you've got a rabbit's foot (that actually works), or some kind of a leprechaun up your sleeve.

Its worth a shot, and it can't really hurt. Try sending a fax to TSC requesting that they correct the online status of your case, also explaining that Tampa has never received the case. Who knows what will come of it. The worst case scenario is that they will just ignore your request.

A small warning though, and this might be good or bad, take it as you will. The IIO from TSC told me that in order to actually correct it they will need to pull my file out from storage. This may cause them to either put it back once its corrected, or they might put it in the pile to adjudicate it. It may also delay the case, but I think the IIO was trying to scare me away from sending the fax. In my case she was successful. Since your case is nearing the processing date, they might actually decide to just adjudicate it, stranger things have happened in TSC.

Hope this helped.

curiousgeorge,
Thank you for your suggestion and response.
I did not receive the paper notice from Tampa or TSC for I-131.
Same way I did not receive a paper notice for I-485 from Miami either.
I have sent a fax request to famous Lady--Evelyn.
I could not make an appointment to Miami office via Infopass. It automatically takes me to Tampa Offices' schadule, as because I am under Tampa jurisdiction.
I called the 1-800 number to make an appointment to Miami, they said I can lie about my Zip code and make an appointment to Miami. Very Nice , Huh !!
What do you think ?
Should I lie ?
-----Still floating

[curiousGeorge]

floating,
yes, you need to lie, I had to do the same thing. Infopass is a badly designed system indeed.

I needed an apointment for my wife and I to ask where her case is. Miami requires every person to have thier own appointment, or they can't get into the building. Infopass only allows 1 appointment per family name, so I was screwed. To get around it I had to misspell my last name.

They will see your correct zip code when (and if) they see your case. Other wise they won't care about your zip code just to let you into the building.

[curiousGeorge]

floating use this fax number for TSC:
214-381-1423

[floating]

floating use this fax number for TSC:
214-381-1423

curiousgeorge,
I will fax an application tonight to the number you gave me. I have already faxed once to 214-489-8021. Are they same office?
Also, about your case, the following info might help you,

AILA/TSC Liaison Minutes (5/3/04)

Posted on AILA InfoNet at Doc. No. 04051813 (May 18, 2004)

2. Members report seeing employment-based cases filed with TSC where the I-485 is transferred to the local office for the principal but the dependents are not, nor are the corresponding I-131s and I-765s. Examples are as follows: SRC-01-201-52978; SRC-02-271-52171. Which entity retains jurisdiction for the extensions?

TSC will transfer I-485 cases (and accompanying I-131s and I-765s) when requested by the local District Office. TSC endeavors to keep family members together and will transfer derivative applicants (and accompanying I-131's and I-765s) when a principal beneficiary's case is requested for transfer. If families are separated, please send liaison inquiries with SRC numbers.

Thanking,
-floating

[curiousGeorge]

Actually, I'm sorry, I have no clue where I got that number. Yours is correct. I think that's the old TSC customer service line.

Thnaks for the Info! Looks like I'm on the right track thanks to floating and mrao485.

[curiousGeorge]

I called the NCSC today, and they told me that its ok if my spouse's case is seperated from mine, since they process each case individually, and they are only working on January 2002 cases.

CSR said that her case can be approved without mine. Somehow I don't understand how. I challenged the CSR that my spouse's case is dependant on mine, and if they are seperated, this will just add more delays. Again she just repeated that they are processing January cases. (which we all know is not true, but I ddn't bother arguing with her about that)

CSR's are useless. I am hoping I get a better answer when I go visit the Maimi office.

I still have not received the transfer paper notice in the mail.

[curiousGeorge]

Just called my attorney. He got the transfer notice for me, but nothing for my wife of course.